Fahrenheit 451 (pt. 1)

This book written by Ray Bradbury, is a depiction of a futuristic United States where nuclear wars have ruined the entire world. The book begins with a grim scene showing firemen burning all the books in a house, and the house itself. One of the firefighters name is Guy Montag; he wears a helmet with the number 451, which apparently is the temperature that paper burns. On his uniform there is a salamander and a "phoenix disc" on his chest. On his way back from his job, he keeps looking back, sensing a presence. He finally sees a girl named Clarisse McClellan. Clarisse is able to identify Guy as a firefighter because of the smell of the ashes. She then says that she is crazy, and does abnormal things such as talk with her family, and walk places instead of driving. This passage sets the glum tone of the book, and shows that the future isn't going to be good. Clarisse also says that in the past firefighters used to put out fires, instead of start them. Guy is intrigued by his new neighbor, and randomly starts laughing while Clarisse is talking.